Things to do in Tromsø

Tromsø sits at 69.6 degrees north, on an island joined to the mainland by a bridge and a tunnel. It is the base for northern lights chases. The town itself is small, wooden and walkable.

On the island and across the bridge

• Arctic Cathedral. A white, angular church of 1965 on the mainland side of the bridge.
• The cable car. The Fjellheisen, beside the cathedral, climbs to a view back over the island and the sound.
• Rundvannet. A lake in the forest on the island itself, minutes from the centre. Frozen in winter, it is part of the snowshoe route.

Chasing the aurora

Aurora season runs from September to March. Tours last six to seven hours and travel wherever the cloud breaks. Some nights that means driving to the Finnish border.

• Big coach. The largest group, with an onboard toilet, a campfire and thermal suits handed out.
• Minibus. Fifteen to eighteen guests at most, and more flexible about where to stop.
• Private. A van or a bus of your own, several times the price of a coach seat.

Fjords, Senja and the snow

• Sommarøy and Kvaløya. A five-and-a-half-hour fjord drive past beaches and mountains, with reindeer and sea eagles on the lookout list.
• Senja. A nine-hour day with viewpoints at Bergsbotn and Tungeneset, lunch in Senjahopen and a ferry back.
• Snowshoes. Four hours on the island, or about four and a half in the mountains, a 30-minute drive out.
• Cruise calls. A five-hour fjord bus leaves from the pier, timed for ships.

Practical

• Weather. January days hover around -3C, colder with wind. July afternoons reach about 14C. The sun stays up from about 20 May to 22 July and does not clear the horizon from late November to mid-January.
• Clouds. Aurora needs a clear sky. No operator can promise it, so give yourself more than one night.
• Clothes. Thermal suits are handed out on aurora tours. Bring a hat, a windproof layer and warm boots anyway.
• Getting here. The airport is a few kilometres from the centre, with an airport bus into town.